The night was clear and the moon was yellow

And the leaves came tumbling down



I was standing on the corner

When I heard my bulldog bark

He was barking up at the two men

Who were gambling in the dark



It was Stagger Lee and Billy

Two men who gambled late

Stagger Lee threw a seven

Billy swore, he threw an eight

Stagger Lee told "Billy,

I can't let you get away with that

Well, you've won all my money

And my brand new stetson hat"



Stagger Lee ran home

Went and got him his 44

Said, "I'm going to the bar room

Just to pay that debt that I owe"



Go Stagger Lee, Go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, Go Stagger Lee

Said, "I' m going to the bar room

Just to pay that debt that I owe"



Stagger Lee went to the bar room

Boy, he stood across the bar room doors

Said, "now, nobody move"

And he pulled out his 44



"Stagger Lee", cried Billy

"Oh, please don't you take my life

I got me three little children

And a very sickly wife"



Go Stagger Lee, Go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, Go Stagger Lee

"got me three little children

And a very, very sickly wife"



Stagger Lee shot Billy

Boy, he shot that poor boy so bad

That the bullet came thru Billy

And went right thru the bartender's glass



While I was standing on the corner

When I heard my bulldog bark

He was barking up at the two men

Who were gambling in the dark



Go Stagger Lee, Go Stagger Lee

Go Stagger Lee, Go Stagger Lee

Well, he was barking up at the two men

Who were gambling in the dark